Runner's Double Fear
By Bruce Wilk, P.T., O.C.S
As a physical therapist
that specializes in treating runner's injuries, I am very aware of the
psychological consequences that an injury has on an athlete. At some point everybody
experiences a fear of losing mobility, serious injury or death. Runners have an
even greater fear because this lack of mobility affects their ability to
maintain their hard won athleticism. And no matter how temporary the injury may
be, there is always the fear of losing one's ability to run permanently.
Runners have a double fear of being
injured or becoming ill resulting in their inability to run. A serious injury
tends to peak this double fear. In the runner's mind the thought that this
injury may be permanent is ever present. This is largely based on the fact that
so much of their life and self-identity revolves around running.
When a runner experiences an injury,
they may initially go into denial. This is a potentially dangerous and an
ineffective means of coping with the fear of a permanent injury. Denial may
cause the runner to ignore a simple injury, which in turn may cause the injury
to become unnecessarily severe. "Immortality syndrome" (or the
feeling that one is invincible) has ruined many athletic careers and
occasionally led to an early preventable death. Recognizing that everyone has
the potential for injury and illness if they are active sports participants is
a basic concept and we should therefore approach those injuries with maturity
and not let fear overtake our sensibilities.
Part of this acceptance that we can be vulnerable to injury should include some
type of prevention within a well-rounded training program. Each of us needs to
learn the difference between the normal discomfort caused by training and the
pain resulting from a recent injury. The runner must pay particular attention
to pain that lingers while resting, limits the ability to do normal daily
activities, and/or causes a limp while running. These are important warning
signs that should not be ignored. Using medication to train through pain is
also part of the denial process that could prolong or potentially aggravate a
running injury. Denial of an injury feeds the runner's double fear. Confronting
this fear head on is a healthy alternative that promotes healing and an earlier
return to your favorite sport.
Healthy running,
Bruce R. Wilk, P.T., O.C.S.,
Orthopedic Rehabilitation Specialists
8720 N. Kendall Drive
Suite 206
Miami, FL 33176
305-595-9425
Copyright 2009 by Florida East Coast Runners and
Bruce Wilk. Reproduction or reprinting
without written permission is illegal.
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